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MONTGOMERY, Alabama - Governor Kay Ivey joined Toyota and Mazda leaders today to announce that the automakers have selected Huntsville, Alabama, as the site of their new joint-venture manufacturing plant.

The new plant will have the capacity to build 300,000 vehicles annually, with production split evenly between two lines for each company to produce a new Mazda crossover model that will be introduced to North American markets and the Toyota Corolla.

The joint venture represents a $1.6 billion investment that Mazda and Toyota plan to make with equal funding contributions. The site for the new plant in Huntsville sits just 14 miles from
Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama, which produces four-cylinder, V-6 and V-8 engines for several Toyota models.

Governor Kay Ivey announced today that
Kimber Mfg Inc., a leading U.S. firearms manufacturer, has finalized plans to open a production facility in Troy, where it will create 366 jobs and invest $38 million into the local economy over the next five years.

"With talented Alabamians already manufacturing a wide range of high-quality products that are in demand around the globe, the state can offer Kimber an ideal business environment and a skilled workforce for its expansion project," Governor Kay Ivey said.

"Kimber's investment in Troy will create a significant number of high-paying design engineering and manufacturing jobs, and we are committed to helping the company find long-lasting success in Alabama."

A new magnet school focusing on cyber technology and engineering will be established in Huntsville, Gov. Kay Ivey announced during her State of the State address.

"This school will prepare some of our state's highest-achieving students to enter the growing fields of cyber technology and engineering," Ivey said. "Just as Huntsville has always been on the leading edge of the rocket and aerospace industries, the Alabama School of Cyber-Technology and Engineering will ensure that Alabama students are at the forefront of today's emerging technologies."

Initial plans call for the school to begin classes by August 2020. The school will eventually serve more than 300 students from across Alabama in grades 7-12.